In a nutshell: If your checked bags are delayed, lost, or damaged, report the issue to United Airlines for assistance and potential reimbursement. For domestic reported delays, inform within 24 hours; for international delays, within 21 days. If baggage remains missing after five days, file a lost baggage claim.
Are your checked bags delayed, lost, damaged, or missing items? You can report the issue to United Airlines for assistance with locating your luggage or requesting reimbursement. For delayed bags, you must report the issue within 24 hours for travel within the U.S., Puerto Rico, or Guam. For international travel, delayed bags should be reported within 21 days. If your luggage is not found after 5 days, you can file a lost baggage claim with United Airlines. Are you having issues with your bags? Continue reading for step-by-step instructions on how to file a claim or request reimbursement.
A checked bag is considered delayed if it does not arrive with you at your destination. To report a delayed bag, enter your confirmation number and last name, then click Continue. Follow the on-screen instructions and make sure to keep the reference number provided, which typically ends in “M.” Note that you can also report a delayed bag by calling United directly or by texting BAGS to 32050.
United Airlines may also issue an automatic refund for delayed bags in certain cases. For domestic flights, you may be eligible for a refund if your checked bag is delayed by more than 12 hours. For international flights, a bag is delayed if it exceeds 15 hours for flights under 12 hours, or 30 hours for flights longer than 12 hours.
If you wish to see the status of your delayed bag report, proceed to the next step.
To see the status of your delayed bag report, just enter the reference number, your first name, and your last name. Then, click Continue.
If your bag is still missing, you can file a lost baggage claim. Do this if you’ve already reported your bag as delayed and have not received it after 5 days.
To file a claim, proceed to the next step.
Enter your reference number and last name, and click Continue.
You’ll be asked to provide details about your bag and its contents. Note that United may also request proof of purchase for certain items.
Follow the instructions provided and allow approximately 4 to 6 weeks for your reimbursement to be processed.
If your bag is damaged, report it within 24 hours for flights within the U.S., Puerto Rico, or Guam, and within 7 days for international flights.
You can also report a damaged bag by texting BAGS to 32050 to contact United Airlines.
You can also contact United Airlines via chat to report delayed, lost, or damaged bags. If you’re still at the airport, it’s best to visit a United Airlines counter so a representative can guide you through the process of filing a claim or requesting reimbursement.
After submitting a claim for delayed or lost bags, United will conduct a thorough search for up to 21 days. You’ll be contacted as soon as your bag is located. If it's not found, United will email you on what to do next. If you qualify for reimbursement, the amount will be issued in your local currency. For lost bags, the maximum reimbursement is up to $4,700 for domestic flights and approximately $2,000 for international flights. Do you still have questions about reporting issues with your checked bags? Contact Customer Support for assistance.
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